President Theater

343 E. Garfield Boulevard,
Chicago, IL 60637

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Ascher Brothers Inc.

Previous Names: New President Theater

Nearby Theaters

President Theater, Chicago, IL USA

The President Theater opened by February 1910 in the Washington Park neighborhood, just across from the namesake park itself, as a vaudeville theater. It was located on E. Garfield Boulevard at S. Park Avenue, now Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The 781-seat theater was originally independently owned, but was acquired by the Louise Amusements chain later in 1911. On September 30, 1912 it was taken over by the Ascher Theatres chain and became a movie theatre. It was equipped with a Kimball organ. On May 22, 1920, it was taken over by the Brunhild & Young circuit as the New President Theater.

The President Theater was closed in 1924 was was converted into a dance hall. It was torn down around 1972.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

davidplomin
davidplomin on March 9, 2015 at 3:46 pm

Opened in 1911 and closed in 1924?! Such a nice facade. I wonder why such a short life? You would think a theater this size could have weathered many a change. Nice facade lit by bulbs!

Broan
Broan on November 13, 2016 at 9:10 am

This would have been on Garfield Blvd/55th, not 55th Place. Historic Aerials show that it stood until at least 1972. It seems to have operated as a series of dance halls and bars after closing as a theater, most notably the Rhumboogie Cafe.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 9, 2020 at 1:19 pm

This reopened as the New President on May 22nd, 1920 by Brunhild & Young theatres. Grand opening ad posted.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 11, 2021 at 6:06 pm

Ascher Bros. took control of this house as early as 1912, according to a list of the Chicago chain’s important theaters published in Moving Picture World of March 10, 1917:

“The President theater, Garfield Boulevard and Calumet avenue, was the first of the larger houses operated under the Ascher system. It was taken over by the Ascher Bros, and opened to the public under their management on September 30, 1912. Previous to this time it was used exclusively for vaudeville. The President is located on one of Chicago’s finest boulevards, within a short distance of Jackson Park. It has a seating capacity of 800, and pictures are shown every afternoon and evening, at an admission price of 10 cents. There are six exits from the large auditorium which is decorated in white and blue. The music is furnished by a Kimball organ and a five-piece orchestra. Harry F. Beaumont is the resident manager.”

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 19, 2022 at 1:46 pm

Opened earlier than in description. “Special Matinee Tuesday February 1910” music program added, courtesy LeRoy Blommaert. The date was inscribed on the back side of the program.

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